Unidentified body found in Neches River

Orange and Jefferson county sheriff's offices are conducting a death investigation after a body was discovered in the Neches River near the Purple Heart Memorial Bridge over the Neches River over the weekend.

According to the report from the OCSO, the office received a call on Sunday, May 5, in regards to a human body behind Gerdal Steel Mill near the Port of Beaumont. Deputies from both OCSO and JCSO responded to the call. Orange County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Judge Derry Dunn is conducting the death inquiry and has ordered an autopsy. The body has been transported to the Jefferson County Forensic Medical Center for autopsy and identification. No other information was available for release, according to statement from OCSO, until autopsy report is complete and identification is made. Authorities are referring to the incident as a “death investigation” at this time.

According to OCSO Deputy Chad Hogan, an autopsy performed Tuesday, May 7, determined the body is that of a male, but the ethnicity of the man was not clear due to the condition of the body. Hogan said the man was wearing a bracelet that could help investigators to identify him. The bracelet was white with black letters reading "I'm sexy and I know it." No additional information was released as of Wednesday, May 8.